Hen Party in Galway

Hen Party in Galway

Why Choose Galway for Your Hen Party?

If you’re considering hosting your celebrations in Ireland, then why not go beyond the norm of heading straight to Dublin and take a look at Galway hen party! Although this quaint city in the west of Ireland may not be at the top of your destinations list, you and the girls can still enjoy a fantastic night out to send off the bride-to-be and enjoy plenty of exciting Galway ideas here! Situated on the wild Atlantic Way that’s well-known for its dramatic coastline, this small city packs a real punch when it comes to an unforgettable weekend!

Why Choose Galway for Your Hen Party?

If it’s good enough for dreamy Ed Sheeran, then surely Galway is good enough for your once in a lifetime celebration? This quaint little city in Ireland is a seriously underrated place to party, showing the rest of Ireland how it’s done on a daily basis. Along with a host of exciting activities to discover, you and the girls are in for a treat when it comes to the nightlife! There’s hundreds of bars, pubs and clubs for you and the girls to visit with some of the top being based within Eyre Square.

Situated on the coast, the small-yet-mighty harbour city of Galway has plenty to offer to visitors… after all, the city didn’t win the European City of Culture 2020 bid for nothing! From May through to September, Galway comes alive with events and cheap prices to keep you within your budget while still making some killer memories. Events range from arts festivals, to traders’ markets, all the way to food and craft festivals. Why not take a hike around the city and feast your eyes upon epic architecture such as Aughnanure Castle, Clifden Castle and more?

When it comes to getting to Galway, you and the girls won’t have to worry about long flights or stopovers. The city is served by Shannon Airport along with the rest of Western Ireland. With flights taking less than an hour from some UK airports, you’ll be able to hop on your flight from the UK and get straight into your celebrations in no time at all!

  • Country: Ireland
  • Language: English & Gaelic
  • Currency: Euros
  • Cost of a vodka & mixer: €8
  • Airport: Shannon Airport
  • Flight duration: 1 hour

Top 10 Hen Do Activities in Galway

Often, the choice of Galway activities can be underestimated against the larger cities in Ireland. However, this list of the top 10 Galway hen activities proves that there’s plenty of choice for any and all budding brides!

1. Dance Party Ideas

Dance the day away with one of our amazing dance themes perfect for you and the girls to have some fun. Whether you are after an 80s dance class or a Beyoncé Single Ladies dance class.

2. Olympic Shames

If you want to enjoy something fun during the weekend, then this experience will be perfect. It’s an adult version of a sports day and will have you competing in different innuendo-themed games.

3. Zorb Bubble Games

Bounce, crash and bash your way through all of these amazingly fun games. Get inside your own Zorb bubble and compete in a range of different hilarious games!

4. Zorb Olympics

If you want something fun and active, then you are in the right place. Get involved in five fun and unique activities like bubble football, sports day and goggle football.

5. Irish Dance

Since you’re in Galway, it would make sense to learn how to Irish dance, right? So put your dancing shoes on ready for a weekend that is fun and extremely memorable.

6. Bubble Mayhen

Get involved in a variety of different games as you are encased inside a Zorb bubble. As the name suggests it is complete mayhem. But it is extremely fun and something all the girls will love.

7. Old School Sports Day

Throw it back to your school days with an old-school sports day experience. Games like the egg and spoon race, the sack race and the traditional relay race for all the girls to get involved in.

8. Archery Battle Zone Tag

Mixing together dodgeball with arrows in this unforgettable experience. Go head-to-head in the ultimate battle as you use bunkers and barriers to your advantage.

9. Grease Dance

Feel like Sandy and the Pink Ladies in this unforgettable experience. Us girls love dancing so incorporating learning a choreographed routine is an easy yet fun addition.

10. Binocular Football

A classic game of 5-a-side football with a twist! Strap on your goggles and have your vision distorted as you attempt to score a goal!

Before your celebrations roll around, consider combining a few activities into one fab weekend to create unforgettable memories with the girls!

Places to Eat in Galway?

Places to Eat in Galway?

Whenever you go somewhere new, it’s essential that you scope out the food and drink situation before you get there – you can’t be stranded in an unknown city, hungover with no hearty food to eat! In the way of food, Galway does not disappoint. The classic Irish breakfast is served in every café, pub and restaurant for a hangover cure for the heavens; black and white pudding included. Wherever you go, you might be shocked by the price of food and drink in Galway because of how low they go, which is epic if you’re on a budget like most are.

Kicking off with one of the highest rated restaurants in the city, Brasserie On The Corner is one of Galway’s top spots for delicious Irish and European-inspired cuisine! Being a harbour town, it would only make sense that this wonderful eatery specialises in seafood, with dishes made from the freshest fish taken straight off the boat.  Aside from the delicious locally-sourced produce that this restaurant uses, it also has an impressive vegetarian, vegan and gluten free selection of dishes too, meaning that everybody is welcome here no matter what your taste buds are yearning for!

This dainty Irish city is bound to start feeling like a home away from home as soon as you arrive, with familiar foods and welcoming arms across the city centre. If you want to splash the cash at some point in the weekend, indulge yourself at the Pullman Restaurant, which is set over two of the carriages from the Orient Express and serves out-of-this-world food all year round.

Another fantastic foodie hotspot that both tourists and locals love in this city is The Dough Bros Galway. An Italian pizza restaurant that’s highly regarded as one of, if not the best place to go for delicious pizzas in the whole of Galway, this independent restaurant is the perfect place to sit down and tuck into a freshly baked Italian favourite before cracking on with the rest of your day.

Where to Shop in Galway?

Where to Shop in Galway?

Although it may not have gigantic shopping centres and commercial parks, Galway is still a top location for doing a spot of shopping with a few different hotspots dotted around the city! The first one we recommend heading to is The Latin Quarter. This vibrant and culturally rich neighbourhood of Galway is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing area of the city as well, so you and the girls will probably find yourselves in awe of how beautiful the place is whilst out on a girly shopping trip, exploring the independent boutiques that this area has to offer!

If you cross over the River Corrib to the other side of the city, you and the girls will quickly find yourselves surrounded by even more shops in Galway’s Westend, a vibrant and exciting area of the city packed full of unique stores and quirky independent businesses that will keep you shopping until you drop! Alternatively, why not explore the more traditional shopping experience by heading to the Galway outdoor market on Church Lane near to St Nicholas’ Church, where local traders have set up shop for hundreds of years.

Guide to Galway Nightlife for Hen Parties

Not specifically known for its nightlife, but Galway sure knows how to party when it comes to hosting a fantastic night out! The city is brimming with classic Irish pubs like The Front Door, a 5-bar venue split over two floors that will make you feel right at home with its traditional atmosphere!

Nightclubs

When it comes to the lively side of this city’s nightlife, Eyre Square is home to some of the top venues that come alive when the sun goes down, including the popular DNA nightclub which plays ringleader most weekends. This venue welcomes younger crowds and groups alike, making it one to remember.

But when it comes to an all-out night on the town, it doesn’t stop there! Halo nightclub is your no-nonsense club that stays open until the early hours every weekend, hosting some of the biggest and best nights out that Galway has to offer. A popular location for visitors and locals, you and the girls can expect delicious cocktails and dance music that will have you busting some moves in no time.

Bars

Another lively venue that definitely deserves a nod is the American-themed Coyotes Late Bar & Club. Open on the weekend, this late-night drinking hotspot features full cow-hide walls, American flags and wall plaques that will make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a bar in Texas! Whether you and the girls plan to stay for a couple of drinks before moving on to another bar or club or you’d prefer to stay at this venue all night… both are great options!

Not only is Galway a great place to dance the night away, but it’s also home to some brilliant live venues where you can spend the night if you’d prefer a more relaxed atmosphere. In this case, for live music and comedy you and the girls should head to Róisín Dubh, a two-stage bar and club that hosts both local and international acts for live music evenings and comedy shows. Open until the early hours of the morning, this is a great choice for those looking to stray away from the classic nightclub experience.

Pubs in Galway

Alternatively, An Púcán is your all-out traditional Irish pub with bags full of charm! Serving up breakfast all day and fantastic live music at night, this gastropub is extremely popular with the locals and visitors, staying open until the early hours of the morning. This is the place to head to for an authentic Irish pub experience with a difference!

Another great way to get the full traditional Irish pub experience would be with a visit to Tig Coili, a very popular spot that hosts regular Irish music nights. This family-run pub has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is a great place to sit down and take in some live music with a pint, with a good variety of both locals and tourists that come here throughout the week. Many pubs in Galway serve “Galway Hooker” beer, the city’s famous brew, and another place to find it on sale would be at Tigh Neachtáin. This old-school pub in the heart of Galway has a long-standing history in the city and is a hugely popular location to sit and enjoy a bit of people-watching with both the locals and visitors

What are the Reasons to Visit Galway?

What are the Reasons to Visit Galway?

The Food

As Galway is a harbour city, the seafood that’s sourced, sold and eaten here is as fresh as it comes!

The Beach!

Just a short walk towards Salthill outside the city centre and you’ll find Galway’s stunning beaches. If you happen to be visiting during the summer or have a few sunny days during your trip, this is a must-do!

The Cultural Heart of Ireland

Known for its literature, art and music, this city’s creativity and innovation earned Galway the title of European City of Culture 2020, a monumental achievement!

The History

Serving as the main Irish port to Spain and France during the Middle Ages, Christopher Columbus himself had even visited the city in 1477!

The Festivals

Being a city of culture, Galway sure knows what it’s doing when it comes to celebrating! With a yearly food festival, arts festival, Galway Race Week and even a Galway Oyster & Seafood Festival, you’re bound to catch one of these events during your visit!

Shop Street

Exactly what it says on the tin, this is Galway’s main shopping street in the Latin Quarter. Filled with independent stores and quirky retailers, this is a great place to visit even if you aren’t looking to do any shopping!

The People

The Irish are known for being amongst some of the friendliest people you’ll encounter, so you and the girls are guaranteed to have plenty of banter with the locals during your visit.

Brilliant Hen Party Activities

Whether you fancy getting competitive in a round of footgolf or you’re looking to learn a few moves with an Irish dance class, we’ve got the activities to make your Galway experience unbelievable!

Getting the Most Out of Your Galway Hen Weekend

Getting the Most Out of Your Galway Hen Weekend

One of the benefits of visiting Galway for your weekend as apposed to other Irish cities like Dublin is that although there’s so much going on in this city, the fact that everything is so close together means that you can see and do a great deal of things, even if you’re only staying for a short time. However, it’s always best to know where to head to beforehand! One of which is Galway Cathedral, one of the city’s largest buildings in the city. Built in 1965, this unique building houses an impressive mural dedicated to JFK inside, as the US president had visited the city just two years before.

If you find yourselves looking to get away from the bustling city centre for a bit, then why not head down to the coast and explore the Wild Atlantic Way, a tourist route that covers the west coast and parts of the southern coast of Ireland. Galway’s part of the trail, known as the “Cliff Coast”, features dramatic rock formations and jagged cliffs throughout. This is the perfect place to take in some natural beauty and appreciate this city’s surroundings.

How to Get Around Galway

How to Get Around Galway

Lucky for you girls, Galway isn’t a gigantic metropolis, so navigating your way from one side of the city to another won’t be too much of a challenge. With most amenities being just a short walk from each other, the best and most efficient way to get around Galway would be by foot. However, if you’re going to need to travel a bit further than walking distance then there are a variety of local taxi firms that operate in the city. However, we recommend pre-booking your journeys if you plan on taking taxis during your trip to avoid any disruption!

Why Choose Galway for Your Hen Party?

Funktion Events has played a part in organising unforgettable events all over the UK and abroad since 2007. As a result, we’ve been Ranked 1st out of 263 UK Stag and Hen Party Organisers on Freeindex. Not only this,  but we’ve also received thousands of 5 star reviews on Trustpilot, a leading independent honest review website. With so many activities and locations to choose from, you can be sure that you’re fully covered, as we’re a Fully ABTA bonded company with the latest online events area for individual payments and itinerary updates.